Unemployed
It was pointed out that I haven’t really told that many people about the news around here. I (Jeff) am currently unemployed as of August 1st. The project I was working on at the University ran out of funding.

I always knew that I wouldn’t be working on the project forever, but I figured a different ending would be in sight. However, in retrospect it’s actually kinda fitting. I say this because before stating my Masters I had no plans (AT ALL) to do my Masters. I was happy to “just” be an Electrical Engineer and leave it at that. But when opportunity presents itself sometimes you have to jump…. Plus, it was such a great project that it made the jump that much easier.

I must admit that I’m a little saddened to leave the project but at the same time excited about what the future holds! Anyone want to hire an Electrical Engineer?

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Joy of Kelowna
One of the joys of living in Kelowna is my Thursday morning ride. A buddy, Daniel and I, go out for a Thursday morning mountain bike ride each week. This week we moved it to Wed and Lindsay was able to come along… She was quite the trooper and did awesome considering the belly and extra weight she’s carrying around. Yes, she’s 6 months (27 weeks) pregnant. At the top we enjoyed some homemade cookies and snapped this wonderful iphone photo. Lindsay wearing it loud and proud. Afterward we went for an awesome swim in the lake!

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Visitors Gallore!
The other joy of being in Kelowna is the influx of visitors. We’ve had a tons of visitors. I realized we missed posting photos or anything from my Brother’s visit in mid-July. Since all the photos are of the kids, here are Sage and Conrad in their “couch fort!” How cute!

Now in August, we had Andy visit and we (Daniel and I) took him on a fun ride which even had a car to ride through! Andy, being the superstar that he is, had to jump his bike up onto the trunk of the car.

Daniel riding through the car

Andy jumping up onto the trunk.

Then last weekend we had Bob, Susan, Rheanna and Ava all staying with us while a few of their friends were also in Kelowna. Everyone had a good visit and we were able to spend some time with our cute little niece.

We were pretty bummed out about the Canucks losing. It’s one thing to lose and feel that you gave it your all, but I’m not sure they would agree that they did (good on Kesler to step up and admit that he should have played better). I guess there’s always next year. I was somewhat lucky enough to be in Vancouver this year during the playoffs. I went there for a work conference and was so tempted to get a ticket to game 3. I am so glad I didn’t since they lost badly, and I would have been in a work meeting at that time but instead came down with the flu. I missed a bunch of the conference and spent 2 days in bed alternating between shivering and sweating. A horrible feeling in a strange hotel room. I wish I could have teleported my body to my own bed. I haven’t been sick for a year and a half so I was due for a flu and I’m sure my body was rebeling after having to play an ultimate tournament at 3 months pregnant.

Upon arriving back to Kelowna, we were visited by my dad and Susan. They were really patient with me as I excused myself to nap all weekend as I fought off the flu. We spent Saturday at the farmers market, the guys did some work out in the yard and Susan made us a wonderful dinner that night. It was an Italian seafood stew called cioppino – delicious. Here’s a recipe to give you an idea of what is in it, but this isn’t the particular one Susan used. It’s great since it’s versatile and you can add all of your favorite seafood. Great served with fresh bread from the market.

For dessert Jeff and I made crepes. We (Jeff) used authentic copper french crepe pans that Susan gave us and it made a huge difference from last time when we used teflon.

A post about family wouldn’t be complete without a photo of our cute cat who was nice enough to allow us to use her table to have a nice dinner:

Last weekend Larry and Brenda were here. We got out golfing at Michaelbrook Ranch course. Larry put on a clinic as he’s been playing daily for the last month or so. And he helped me fix my slice so that was useful. We fired up our new bbq on Saturday night for some steaks. We decided it was time to buy a new bbq when we noticed the grill was starting to fall apart on the old one. Not super surprising since we bought the last one for $100 from Canadian Tire and it lasted for 7 years! That is money well spent. On that same token, this new bbq should last 35 years.

The next day we had a quick visit in the morning (and Jeff’s tasty omlettes!) and they hit the road back to Kamloops. We went and checked out ultimate. Was just pick up goalti and it was pretty fun except for a few rules and strategies that Jeff and I found interesting (or annoying). It was the first time we had played outside this year and it was nice to be back on real grass. The wind wasn’t so nice though…

On Tuesday we played again at league. It was tricky to get us both on a team together (something about 2 superstars on one team not being acceptable…based on watching us at 2 indoor sessions and clearly these people were not paying attention to my million turnovers from not touching a disc for ages). Up until hours before league started Jeff and I were on separate teams but I convinced him to jump ship and we found a team together. It’s a team that has never played together before. Everyone is super friendly and keen to learn. And we won!

Jeff spent the week doing some amazing landscaping (update and pictures coming soon).

Then this weekend we had Jill and Mark come visit. It was a wonderful weekend (and nice to have friends again). They arrived early Friday morning so we had the whole day for wine tours (St. Hubertus and Summerhill), a brewery tour (Tree Brewing – highly recommended) and a nice dinner downtown at RauDZ. On Saturday we had breakfast with the Ellis family who was in town from Calgary for some much needed R&R. We all headed to the disc golf course for a round. The men stuck around for a few more rounds while us ladies went to a coffee shop. That was followed up by a wine tour and tapas at Quail’s Gate. We fired up the bbq on Saturday evening and watched the Canucks game. Too bad they lost since they were playing so amazing. Looks like they’ll just have to win it in 5 now. What a wonderful time of year right now when there just aren’t enough hours in the day to watch all the hockey that is on.

Today Mark and Jeff went disc golfing again but this time they went to marshall their own course in a local forest. Now to convince the city to fund baskets to make it an official course. Jill and I were on our way shopping but got distracted. We are trying to convince Jill and Mark to move here so we went looking at houses. Since it’s not really feasible, we went to look at houses that were as unlikely to own as them moving here. There was an open house so we stopped in and checked out a place for $1.5 milion. It was huge and amazing. Wine cellar, exercise room, tiered theatre, and gorgeous lake view. Unless we move in together it won’t really work…luckily it’s big enough for all of us!

We have lived in Calgary for 7 years, and although it has been a good city for us, it is time for a change. Over the past year we’ve tossed around a few ideas: Europe, Australia, Ottawa, Victoria, Kelowna. In the end, we decided on the closest and least complicated city: Kelowna. We spent some time there this fall (as well as having both grown up near Kelowna) and loved it. The weather is so much nicer (pretty sure it’s not -30 degrees there right now) and gets nice and hot in the summer. The biggest selling features for Kelowna is that we both get to keep our jobs and work remotely, we can have a huge garden and grow more than just peas and zucchini and we can swim in fresh water every day! The plan is to move in the Spring (maybe just a coincidence but we should be there in time for the first tourney of the year Sunflicker

We will dearly miss our friends and family in Calgary but we will be back often for work and ultimate.

Willow is very confused by all of the painting but she was born in BC so she’s pretty excited to be moving back home. Here are a few pictures of her supervising. She has only managed to get into the paint once (that we know of)…and painted her tail red.

Supervising with taping

Supervising while Jeff pulls off a sketchy move

Helping paint the trim

Ever so helpful

Apart from painting, didn’t get up to much this weekend since it was way too cold to go anywhere. Went to my sister’s baby shower. She got so many cute pink things. She’s really getting big and the doctors have given her a window of January to February, so it’s hard to say when it will come since if it’s late it may be born in March. I’m hoping it comes early so I have more time to spend with the little girl before we move.

We were able to catch a bit of the Olympic trail’s speed skating at the Oval on Monday. We saw the men’s and ladies’ 1000m short track. It got me very excited for the Olympics. Go Canada!

We started off visiting my parents. First my mom and Doug in Genelle and then my dad and Susan in Thrums. The highlight of the visit it my mom’s house was her new little kitten Winnie. She is only 8 weeks old and 2.5 pounds of cuteness. Last time we went to visit my mom we left with a kitten (Willow) and were so tempted to do so again…. She’s at the cutest age where she’s so bouncy and playful. Here are some pics of the kitten and my mom’s dogs:

Dog Bilby

Dog Oscar

Slightly wet with dog slobber

Sleeping Winnie

Stick 'em up

Then, off to my dad’s place. My dad runs a football pool every year and since last weekend was the first NFL game of the season, we had a no pool, pool party. Most people from the pool came. I had to admit to them all that I dropped out this year since I’m too competitive to finish at the bottom of the pack year after year. My dad even pays my way every year but it’s a bad investment for everyone, so I quit. I still got to go to the party though and meet everyone, even the champ from last year Zeke. Very nice group of people to play croquet and eat burgers with.  Sadly forgot to take photos of the party but here are a few of the yard and garden potatoes:

Is that a Lincoln?

Duck Potatoes

Neighbour's shed in the fog

The morning after the party Susan took us to the 17th annual Garlic Festival in New Denver. It used to be a very small, intimate gathering where people bought garlic but has grown in popularity over the years. Now upwards of 8000 people attend and you can buy all sorts of things: honey, veggies and fruit, clothes, art, and garlic of course. Garlic ice cream, garlic honey…you name it! We went with $100 and spent it all and didn’t come home with even a clove of garlic. It’s located on beautiful Slocan Lake:

Susan, Cheryl and Lindsay in line

Slocan Lake

We managed to get out golfing at the Castlegar Golf Course. I haven’t played there in years, but it’s a great course (especially when you go with your parents and they pick up the tab – bonus!). I think I had the best round of my life but I attribute it to the fact that I used to be a member there. In highschool as a student I think I got a golf membership for $180. I’m pretty sure most people who have been golfing with would question that I was ever a member at a golf course since my game is somewhat inconsistent….but it was on that day. Even beat my dad (although I may have “accidentally” kicked my ball out of the rough a few times).

After a short but sweet visit with my family, we headed off to Kelowna for a mini-vacation. September is definitely the time to vacation in the Okanagan. No traffic or tourists but it’s still 30 degrees! Perfect weather for swimming, playing disc golf and going on wine tours. We went to Summerhill Pyramid, Mission Hill, Quail’s Gate, Dirty Laundry, Sumac Ridge, and Greatta Ranch. Our favorite was Quail’s Gate. Good wine and fantastic food. Here are a few pics from the wineries:

Bell Tower at Mission Hill

Summerhill Winery

grapes

Us at Quail's Gate

Jeff at the DG course

Condo we rented in Kelowna (Playa del Sol)

From Kelowna, off to Penticton for Jeff’s brother’s wedding. Jeff’s dad wrote a post about the lovely day and posted a whack of pictures here. It was a hectic day but a beautiful ceremony.

Flower Girl Sage

Ringbearer Conrad on the run

The Newlyweds

Us with the happy couple

Closest we got to having kids stand still for a photo together

Cool photo of Larry & Brenda in Rose Garden

Roses and rings

Jeff's grandparents in Rose Garden - 59 years married and going strong!

Sage & Auntie Lindsay

The beautiful bride

Sage

Kevin and Tamara were staying in Penticton to enjoy married life and have some calm after the storm, so we went to Princeton to have some quality time with the kids. Luckily Larry and Brenda came too, as the kids are quite a handful at 4 and 2. Sage borrowed my purse so I got to have a mini treasure hunt in her room finding all of the contents. Conrad is at the age where he’s a sponge and it’s pretty much monkey see monkey do. They are both so adorable:

Uncle Jeff with Conrad and Sage

Conrad with curls that any woman would be envious of!

Jeff Riding Tractor at Bear's Fruit Stand (Keromeas)

We were going to head to Vernon to play in UHF, but were glad that we went to Princeton instead and it was kind of out of the way to head back to Vernon. Plus, sleep was in short supply our night in Princeton as Jeff and I got cuddles many times throughout the night from Sage

Now back to reality after a fabulous trip.

Happy birthday to Willow as well as to Erika today!

Thanks to Larry and Brenda’s great meal planning and Jeff’s good BBQing we ate like kings. Lots of fun had with Kevin, Tamara and the two little ones. I think I watched Finding Nemo with Sage 3 times, but luckily she was into that right instead of Barney (which she watched the entire way from Princeton apparently ). Here are a few pics from the week: http://picasaweb.google.com/jeff.sill/SunPeaks#

Since our last post we got back from a fantastic time in Quebec. We finally got our luggage on Saturday afternoon, so only went without it for 2 out of 4 days. Turns out the moron Airline company mentioned in our last post, sent our bags to the wrong hotel. So, they sat in the lobby of the Hilton for 24 hours. That would explain why every time I called (India) they told me our bags had already been delivered. I guess they were right in a way…

Spent the next two days wearing all of my clothes so I was sweltering but so happy to have my snowpants and mittens. Went to see ice sculptures, tobogganing, the parade and tried to see Bonhomme. That dude is a celebrity in Quebec. He arrived at the parade and was mauled. I tried to get close for a photo op and the mob of fans tossed me aside. I guess I should have valued my time with Bonhomme back in ‘95 when I got my photo taken with him. He must not have been such a celebrity then as I don’t look too impressed in the photo. Once we get a scanner I will post that picture as I don’t have a digital copy of it.

Played Ice Bowl this weekend. The weather was so nice for February and the tournament raised about $5000 for the Women’s Centre. Jeff played an awesome second round and held his own in the Advanced Division (could have had a shot at the title if there weren’t so many sandbaggers). Mark has improved a hundred-fold from last year and this tournament marked his 1-year disc golf anniversary. I look forward to next year. I came first out of 1.5 ladies in the Women’s division. Jana, before your feelings get hurt, I’ll explain your 0.5 does not relate to your skill level, but the fact that you only played one of two rounds. Jana and I both got nice prizes and I have the trophy to take home again to collect some dust until I turn it in next year. See you all out for Ice Bowl 2010 (there’s a trophy up for grabs!).

Now we are in Kamloops getting ready to head up to Sun Peaks for 4 days for Larry’s retirement party. We even got a sprinkle of snow last night so I’m pretty excited. I better run and have a nap and rest up for the chaos of our niece and nephew as Kevin’s family will be joining us for the festivities.

We had so much visiting and chaos on Christmas day (grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles) that we never got around to opening presents until 8:30pm.

Since the little ones and their parents left (managed to get a visit in with Kev and Tamara surprisingly), we have been playing with our new toys that we got for Christmas. Santa was very good to us bringing us a squash racket, new googles and a 42″ plasma TV!!!

We used the squash racket at some interesting courts in the back of a pub in Kamloops (Malone’s). We also went up to Sun Peaks today to try out the new goggles. When we got to Sun Peaks there was some snow, but not as much as in the past when we’ve gone. However, around 10:30 it started dumping snow and the conditions in the afternoon were amazingly perfect. Tons of powder!!!! Had a few good wipeouts but was an otherwise super fun day.

Well time for dinner and a movie. Ahhh holidays!

Hope you and your loved ones had a great Christmas. Happy New Year!